Aquilegia elegantula
(Red Columbine)
Aquilegia elegantula, FR 612, Lone Cone Area, San Miguel Co. 3523
Aquilegia elegantula, Mt. Antero, Chaffee Co. 6229
Aquilegia elegantula, FR 612, Lone Cone Area, San Miguel Co. 3535
Aquilegia elegantula, Lower Cataract Lake, Summit Co. 5452
Aquilegia elegantula, Blue Lakes Trail, Ouray Co. 5331
Aquilegia elegantula, Blue Lakes Trail, Ouray Co. 5466
Aquilegia elegantula, FR 612, Lone Cone Area, San Miguel Co. 3525
| Scientific Name | Aquilegia elegantula | USDA PLANTS Symbol | AQEL |
| Common Name | Shooting Star Columbine, Red Columbine, Western Red Columbine | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 18735 |
| Family | Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Montane and subalpine (6500 to 11800 ft); moist hillsides, forest edges and openings. Plant: Erect perennial, 4 to 24 inches tall, slender stems. Leaves: Bright green, hairless, mostly basal leaves growing on long stalks divided into three leaflets up to about 1-1/4 inches across, further divided into three smaller lobes. Inflorescence: Drooping red blossoms on slender, curved stalks, each with 5 petal-like sepals with reddish bases and greenish tips angling downward; 5 bright yellow to red petals that taper into upward (or backward)-pointing straight spurs; yellow stamens. Bloom Period: May to July. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, "Guide to Colorado Wildflowers" by G.K. Guennel, American Southwest, and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2025
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